The weather was great and spirits were high at Waitangi weekend's retreat for men with HIV, says organiser Bruce Kilmister. “It went tremendously. Really well,” he says. On-site accommodation at Vaughan Park on Auckland's North Shore was full to capacity, with many day visitors joining in the events as well. “Our inspirational speaker was Peta Mathias, who spoke very well and gave us the inside story to her intrepid travels to Bolivia and work as a celebrity chef. She finished up singing us a little French song.” Another speaker at the retreat, Rod Ellis-Pegler, who's just retired from Auckland Hospital, got quite emotional as he told of his life working with HIV+ people. “We also had a hypnotist for entertainment,” continues Kilmister. “He was hilarious to say the least. “Then Sunday was a relaxation day, and most people went canoeing, kayaking, or bush walking – or just lazing around.” Kilmister says the next HIV+ men's retreat is planned for Waitangi weekend 2008. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 13th February 2007 - 12:00pm